S Kuvam Road Slum Residents Celebrate and Support Chennai Pride March

Residents of the S Kuvam Road slum settlement in Chennai welcomed the annual Chennai Pride March with celebration and allyship as the parade commenced outside their homes on the last Sunday of June. The local community, living primarily under thatched roofs along the march's starting route, gathered to cheer, dance, and support the LGBTQIA+ participants.

The annual march, which serves as the culmination of Chennai's Pride month events, begins near the Rajarathinam Stadium. For the residents of S Kuvam Road, the event has become an eagerly anticipated annual tradition.

Karpagam, a local resident, explained that she invites her relatives from Perumbakkam, Vyasarpadi, and Chintadripet to S Kuvam Road once the date of the rally is confirmed so they can enjoy the festivities. Karpagam described walking down the road in the afternoon to check on the arrival of volunteers and participants, seeking sneak-peeks of the costumes and makeup. She also sends local children to get their faces painted by volunteers.

Over the last three years, participants and volunteers have left rainbow props, such as wigs, glasses, and flags, with the S Kuvam Road residents. Another resident, Durga, noted that local children prepare these props after lunch, put on wigs, and wait for the march to begin. Durga shared photos of herself from the march wearing stone bindis on her cheeks representing the colours of the LGBTQIA+ flag.

The local women also expressed appreciation for the creative costumes of activists, including poet and activist Agni Pradeep. Residents recalled Agni's costumes from previous years, including a white sari in 2025 and a costume this year representing the gazette of a law mandating trans people to prove their identity to the government.

Beyond the celebration, several residents expressed a clear understanding of the march's underlying message. A resident named Mohana explained that she heard announcements demanding dignity and rights for transgender individuals from the government. Another young resident, Gayathri, affirmed the message of equality, stating that everyone should be treated with dignity regardless of who they love.

While some local men, including factory workers Siva and Murali, and a neighbour named Saleem, reported being unaware of the march's meaning, the women of S Kuvam Road actively push for acceptance. Karpagam and Geetha noted that they confront local men who make derogatory comments. Geetha added that she previously supported a transgender neighbour who lived in the settlement during her recovery from gender affirmation surgery. Durga emphasized that they bring their extended families to the parade to teach their children to respect diversity.